Knoxville 17th January 1797. Sir: Several times our post rider has been disappointed by not meeting with and receiving the mail at Abbingdon; delays and irregularities too often happen in some quarter. A letter from the Department of War dated August 13th only arrived here on the 11th instant. This came round by the way of Cumberland, and by the hand of M^r. John [undecipherable: Deaderick?] as a private conveyance; another to the protection of our frontiers, and the defect ought to be supplied by militia, three companies of Infantry and a troop of horse would answer the purpose, on which I have wrote the Secretary of war. I have the honor to be, etc. (Signed) John Sevier. Circular to the Honorable Messrs. Blount, Cooke and Jackson in Congress.